Fighting for His Life

Australian Scott Rush Files Appeal to Bali Courts to Overturn Death Sentence for Smuggling Heroin.

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(7/17/2010)

One of three men facing the death penalty for attempting to smuggle heroin from Bali to Australia has formally requested a sentence review. Scott Anthony Rush, now 23, together with eight others collectively known as the "Bali Nine," was arrested on April 17, 2005 in the process of helping to smuggle 8.9 kilograms of heroin on board a flight about to fly to Australia. Rush was 18 years of age at the time of his arrest.

Rush's attorney has appealed to the Denpasar court asserting new evidence supporting a claim that his client acted only as courier and not as a mastermind of the crime. Among the information being submitted to the court are affidavits from an expert in international law.

Attorney Frans Hendra Winaata told the court, "the role of our client in the smuggling of narcotics was that of a courier, like Renae Lawrence, who received a sentence of only 20 years."

Kompas.com said that the death penalty given to his client was unjust and he hoped the court review will result in a reduce sentence for his client who has expressed his extreme remorse for his crime and pledged to dedicate himself to fighting narcotics.